10 Theme Park Survival Tips

Skip the lines, save money and more by following this expert advice

By Karen Phillips

Long lines, overpriced food and hidden expensesyour theme park trip this summer could be filled with all of these not-so-fun things. But planning, plus the right attitude, can lead to you having a great time while minimizing waits, saving money and getting your first choice at every meal," says Robert Niles, editor of the website ThemeParkInsider.com. Want to know how? Read on to get the inside scoop from theme park experts and frequent park visitors.

1. Research, Research, ResearchBefore you get there, be familiar with the park layout, its rides and attractions, when the shows and parades start, and what time the park opens (you should arrive before the designated time so you can accomplish plenty of things in the first couple of hours before the hordes arrive). Joel Bullock, creator of The Coaster Critics Blog, says your preparedness can work in your favor once you get to the park. You can schedule in some time to have dinner or lunch as a family in a sit-down restaurant in the park. If you want to do that at a park like the Magic Kingdom, be sure to make advance reservations; Disney starts accepting them 180 days before the dateand the most popular restaurants with character meet-and-greets are usually fully booked well in advance. Start your research by visiting the park's own website, and then get tips from previous visitors at community-powered sites like DISboards.com (an unofficial guide to Disney) and ThemeParkReview.com/Forum.

2. Pick a Strategic Day to GoWhile doing your research, you'll notice that many park websites offer advice on the best time and day to visit. In general, weekdays are often the least crowded, while Saturdays are often the busiest. However, some members of ThemeParkInsider.com actually recommend weekends during the summer months for Orlando-area parks such as Epcot and SeaWorld, because those are often travel days for out-of-town visitors. Conversely, California's Disneyland is often packed on Sundays, since that day isn't blocked for discount annual pass holders. If you're still stumped about which day is the best when visiting a Disney-affiliated park, you may want to subscribe to the Crowd Calendar at TouringPlans.com. For $10.95, you can view park recommendations, based on past wait times, for every day of the year.

3. Opt for the Package DealIf you live nearby, an annual pass sometimes makes senseeven if you only plan on going to the park a couple of times a yearwhen it means you get perks like free parking and discounts at restaurants. Or, if this is your big trip for the year and you plan on staying in the area for more than a weekend, you may want to look into discount cards; cities with multiple attractions often offer them. For example, at $319 per adult and $279 per child, the Southern California CityPASS will save you at least 24 percent on three days admission to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, one day at Universal Studios Hollywood and one day at SeaWorld San Diego. Finally, some all-inclusive parks, like Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, offer vacation packages for guests who stay on site that can include discounted park passes as well as other benefits, like access to the park before it opens to the public, preferred seating at shows and complimentary shuttle rides.

4. Be Prepared for Anythingand EverythingConsidering that most park tickets cost $50 or more per person, you want to get your money's worth when you get there, which for most people means spending the entire day at the park. But things can go awry quickly if you don't plan accordingly. To beat the heat, wear light-colored clothing, sunglasses and a hat, and bring along a washcloth in a plastic bag that you can soak in water throughout the day for instant relief. If rain is in the forecast, buy some dollar-store ponchos that you wont mind tossing once afternoon showers pass. Whatever the forecast, remember to bring sunscreen (it'll cost you a small fortune inside the park) and reapply oftennothing ruins an afternoon quicker than a youngster suffering from sunburn. Lastly, wear comfy, broken-in shoes and bring along a product like Bodyglide Anti-Chafe Balm, which protects against rashes, chafing and blisters.

5. Plan for the WorstWith a park full of people, it's easy to lose track of someone, so make sure all the children in your group have a way to contact you in case of separation. Write down your name and cell phone number and store it in a plastic bag that can be stuffed into the pocket of a pair of shorts. A luggage tag with the same info, secured on a belt loop, also works. When you first arrive at the park, show younger kids what park employees' uniforms look like, so they know whom to go to in case they get lost, and always note a prearranged meeting area on the park's map before your party splits up. And remember, keep your cell phone on you at all timesnot stashed in a backpack that may be with someone else in your party when you really need it.

6. Use Your Digital Camera for More than Just SnapshotsBefore you leave your car, take a photo of the parking lot aisle number or sign ("Pluto 8" can be really hard to remember 16 hours later). Also take photos of young children, so you'll have accurate information to give security officials if someone gets lost.

7. Tackle the Park Like a ProOnce you get inside the park, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the sights and sounds, and end up just following the herd from one attraction to the next. For a more strategic approach, don't dawdle at the front of the park, where most visitors slow down and get on the nearest ride; instead, head to the back of the park, which will be nearly empty if you've arrived early in the day. If coasters and rides are your passion, get on those rides first so you can check them off your must-do list. And don't bother with shopping or static attractions first thing in the dayboth will be much easier to visit later on, when everyone else is in line for the big-name attractions. If everything works out, by noon you'll have already been at the park for two or three hours, so take a break and have a leisurely sit-down lunch or go back to your hotel for a nap or a swim. The idea is to get off your feet and recharge your batteries so you can return to the park a few hours later feeling refreshed and eager to enjoy the afternoon and evening, when other visitors are starting to wear down. Another option is to have an early lunch or dinner and ride the popular rides when everyone else is breaking to eat at more traditional times of the day.

8. Outsmart the LinesThe days of everyone waiting in the same line are over at most parks. Disneys free FASTPASS Service was the first of its kind, allowing visitors who opt in to return to a ride at a designated time and skip the long line for a much shorter one. Other parks have also caught on to the skip-the-line craze, but none offer it fee-free like the Disney parks do. For example, in addition to the cost of admission, Six Flags offers The Flash Pass starting at $45 per person, Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure both offer Express Plus Passes starting at $19.99 per person, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers Quick Queue starting at $15.95 per person. If the additional cost of a pass isn't in your budget, you can monitor wait times via mobile apps, like Universal Orlando Wait Times, Ride Hopper and SeaWorld, for a more strategic approach to rides.

9. Fight the Food FrenzyIf the park allows outside food and drink, pack snacks, such as granola bars and crackers, and water bottles that you can refill using the park's fountains to save money between meals. If you didn't plan ahead and make a reservation at a restaurant (see #1), opt to eat lunch earlybefore 11:30 a.m., when the crowds start to pile up. Many parks now have their own mobile apps, like Disney's Mobile Magic and Cedar Point GPS Park Map, that use GPS locators to pinpoint exactly where you are, making it easier to find the nearest restaurant, saving you time in the long run. Finally, when opting for grab-and-go food instead of a sit-down meal, always choose the left line, since most people veer right naturally.

10. Save Money on SouvenirsWhen you're surrounded by all that eye candy, it's easy to get suckered into buying things you don't need. A little advance planning can help assuage those costs: Buy glow sticks, plastic bead necklaces and decorative pins beforehand, and pass them out to your group for events like evening fireworks and parades. However, some park souvenirs can work double duty, such as refillable cups. For example, a Six Flags souvenir sports bottle is $13.99 and soda refills are just 99¢. My favorite tip on shopping, though, says Niles, is to either give or make the kids earn a souvenir allowance before you go. That way, there's no pestering during the trip and kids learn some important lessons about budgeting and looking for value when shopping." And don't worry if you forget to buy something or the line was too long; many parks have online souvenir stores.

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